Land Stewardship Projects

Prescribed burns help suppress the growth of trees and invasive species, and they encourage the growth of native prairie plants, birds, mammals, and butterflies. Prairie plants thrive in fires because they have protected root systems up to 15 feet deep. Following a burn, prairie plants burst with new growth and flowers.

Saint John's Abbey Arboretum relies heavily on volunteers to help complete prescribed burns in the spring and fall of each year. No experience is necessary, so join our volunteer email list to receive updates about the burning schedule.

Since the early 1940's the Saint John's community has participated in this annual rite of spring. Get an overview of our current maple syrup operation, its history, news, and learn how you can volunteer to help out!

A large number of deer over-winter in the Abbey Arboretum, and if that influx is added to a high local population, the result is over-browsing of the tree seedlings, shrubs and annual forbs. The goal of the annual deer hunt is to assure a deer population level that will allow both adequate regeneration of the forest and a healthy deer herd on the Abbey lands.